Jovon Makama's second-half double earned Norwich City a vital 2-1 victory over Southampton at Carrow Road in a Championship contest defined by a missed penalty at one end and a highly contentious winner at the other. Leading the line in the absence of concussed top scorer Josh Sargent, the 21-year-old forward struck in the 48th and 61st minutes to halt the visitors' impressive run of form and breathe life into the hosts' survival bid.
Ryan Manning's excellent long-range equaliser briefly threatened to extend Southampton's sequence of five wins in six league games, but the afternoon swung decisively when Makama's second goal was allowed to stand despite the ball appearing to go in off his hand. Earlier, Saints forward Adam Armstrong had missed a first-half penalty, and those squandered opportunities loomed large as Norwich, injury-hit but energetic after the interval, secured only their fourth league win of a troubled campaign. The Canaries remain in the relegation zone, second-bottom, yet with Oxford United losing they are now just two points from safety, while this was only Southampton's second defeat in eight.
Saints Start Fast but Spurn Golden First-Half Openings
Southampton began like a side brimming with confidence from their recent run. Inside two minutes they won a free-kick on the edge of the area after Leo Scienza was fouled. The Brazilian stepped up himself and whipped a superb curling effort that beat Vladan Kovacevic but crashed against the crossbar. The rebound fell invitingly for Flynn Downes, only for the midfielder to direct his header straight at the Norwich goalkeeper when either corner of the net would likely have opened the scoring.